Tonight Lidcombe (오늘밤 리드컴) — Restaurant in Sydney

17/10/25 - 3 stars

I've walked past this corner bistro a few times and thought I'd give it a try, especially since I was interested in the bingsu.

It's a modern Korean restaurant with a nice moody decor and vibe, but, it's situated in quite a noisy corner of central Lidcombe. Lots of loud cars tend to drive past so it can be a bit disruptive. Also, it's predominantly a 'pocha' or basically a place to drink at so other customers can be quite rowdy.

Service is good though has a hard time identifying who is staff. The flavours are decent, though wouldn't say it's unique or exceptional. Plenty of other places in Sydney do similar things. Value is poor.

I would come back just for the bingsu but sadly there is a $15pp min spend so probably won't be back.

Yakult bingsu Flavour: S+, 8.5/10. A bit too sweet but just what I was hoping for Texture: SS, 9/10. Pretty smooth. Value: S, 8/10. $14.

Stewed clams Flavour: S, 8/10. Very buttery (a bit too much for my liking) and a bit spicy. Overall nice. Texture: S, 8/10. Well cooked. Value: A, 7/10. $33 for "1kg" but probably only about 200g of actual clam meat.

Grilled chicken thigh Flavour: S+, 8.5/10. Quite liked it. Even the non "spicy* option was fairly hot but enjoyable. Texture: S+, 8.5/10. Well cooked. The occasional rice cake was nice as well. Value: B, 6/10. ~$26 for the small plate was very disappointing

Rice balls: A, 7/10. Well...

Lidcombe is Sydney’s new Koreatown. On the way to our destination, every business we walk past—from bottle shop to bakery to restaurant after restaurant—offers a hot take on Korean booze or food. At the base of a residential tower, Tonight is a modern Korean bistro. We’re the only non-Koreans in the indoor-outdoor space. Everyone else is both younger and cooler than us.

We try to keep up with the soju-slamming youngsters by ordering sugar-free Saero ($19) washed down with Ji Pyeong makgeolli ($14). Both come with funky glasses, though it’s the draft ‘thin ice’ Sapporo ($14) that impresses the most, soothing the hurt of extremely hot and spicy pork ribs ($34). They are what they say on the QR code menu you access with an on-table PIN code—did I mention it’s a young people venue? Dusted with fried garlic and most sensibly accompanied by steamed rice ($3), I get through three riblets before the burn hits me, my dining companion got through five.

Wagyu tartare ($26), a riff on Korean yukhoe, made on MB6 wagyu beef is scattered with crisp lemony croutons and dusted in Parmesan. It’s pleasurable to eat and underpriced. Clam buttery chowder stew with pasta ($35) presents toothsome spaghetti in buttery broth with a mound of gently cooked clams. Curiously vegetables don’t really feature on this short but interesting menu, but that might only be an issue from an older...

This is easily one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Sydney. We ordered the hash, the prawn sandwich, and the glazed sweet & soy pork ribs — every dish was outstanding.

The hash was delicious and came with plenty to share among the three of us. The pork ribs were absolutely amazing as well: tender, flavourful, and beautifully paired with a silky cauliflower purée that tied everything together. Chef Daniel personally served us this dish and explained how to enjoy it, which added a warm, personal touch to our visit.

But the standout of the night was the prawn sandwich — hands down the best deep-fried dish I’ve ever had. The bread was perfectly crunchy, the prawn was fresh and juicy, and the slight hint of spice made it unforgettable.

What an incredible evening. We’ll definitely be...